USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 8
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WILLIAM McNAIR
Was born in Bucks county, Pa., January 1, 1800. He emigrated to Michigan in 1526. and became a merchant at Tecumseh, and after- wards a farmer. In politics a Democrat. He was a Representative in 1849.
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MOSES A. McNAUGHTON
Was born in Argyle, N. Y., January 3, 1813. He received an aca- demical education, and was two years in Union college; read medicine and graduated at Fairfield, N. Y., in 1840. He settled at Jackson, Michigan, in 1841, and practiced medicine successfully for ten years. when he turned his attention to real estate, in which he was success- ful. He also was interested in the building of railroads, among them the Jackson branch of the Michigan Southern, and the Grand River Valley, of which he was treasurer. He was elected on the free soil ticket as Senator in 1853, and was mayor of Jackson in 1866-7.
JOHN L. McNEIL
Was born at Charlotte. Vt .. October 10, 1813. He received a com- mon school education and worked on his father's farm until twenty- one, and then took charge of his father's hotel in Charlotte. In 1836 he emigrated to Michigan and settled in Atlas, Genesee county, upon a farm. He filled various local offices, and as a Democrat was a Representative in 1849.
JACOB L. MOPEEK,
Senator from Barry and Eaton counties in 1879, was born in Oxford, Ohio, May 4, 1518. and removed to Michigan with his parents in 1852, settling on a farm near Grand Ledge. In 1867 he moved into the
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village. He received a good education and opened a real estate and collection office in Grand Ledge. In 1875 he was admitted to the bar, and has since been in the practice of the law. In politics a Republican.
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WILLIAM McPHERSON, JR.,
Commissioner of railroads, 1885 to 1887, was born at Inverness, Scot- land, March 9, 1834, came to this country and has resided at Howell since 1836, and attended such schools as that place afforded at that time. At the age of sixteen he entered the store of his father as a clerk, and when a little more than twenty-one years of age, in 1956, he became a partner with his father, and until about one year ago remained in the firm, under the name of William McPherson & Sons, general merchants, and dealers in wool and other farm products. He also engaged extensively in real estate in Livingston county and out- side, owning and dealing in farm, timber, and mineral lands, as well as village and city property, and lately has given his attention to real estate matters, the purchase of wool and other private business. Mr. McPherson is a Republican.
A. T. MCREYNOLDS,
Representative from Detroit in 1840, was born at Dungannon, Ireland, Dec. 25, 1808, came to Pittsburg, Pa., in 1810, and was a member of the " Duquesne Greys," the first military company west of the Alle- ghanies, after the war of 1812. Removed to Detroit in 1533. in 1934 became a major on the staff of Gen. A. S. Williams, then commanding the state militia. In 1834-5 organized the Brady guards. He studied law and was admitted in 1840. He was eleven years lieut. colonel or colonel of the 1st Michigan regiment; was captain of the Mont- gomery guards; in 1847 was captain of dragoons, U. S. army, and served in the Mexican war, his company and that of Phil Kearney, forming Scott's body guard; for his bravery in the charge on the gates of Mexico received the thanks of the president and senate, having been disabled for life: returned to Detroit and practiced law until 1561: in 1861 was commissioned colonel of the " Lincoln cavalry." the first regiment in that arm of the service; was in command of a brigade two years, and of a division six months. He was an alderman of Detroit two years; Indian agent three years; Senator in :S47; mem- ber and first president of the Detroit board of education: U. S. district attorney of western Michigan under Johnson: democratic candidate for congress in 1872; prosecuting attorney of Muskegon
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county in 1874. He was first a Whig, and was a delegate to the national convention of 1839 that nominated Harrison, but of later years a Democrat. Resides at Grand Rapids and was long president of the state association of veterans of the Mexican war.
GEORGE MEACHEM,
Representative from Cass and other counties in 1839, and Senator in 1859, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., June 18, 1799. He came to Ann Arbor in 1826, but soon became a farmer in Cass county, and was the first sheriff of that county. He was a supervisor many terms. First a Whig then a Republican. Deceased.
DARIUS MEAD,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1835, was born in Lanesboro, Mass., in 1800. He was a farmer and a Democrat. Settled in Mich- igan in 1833, and was a justice and associate county judge of Lenawee county. Died at Blissfield in 1859.
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ELISHA F. MEAD
Was born in Hinesburg, Vt., in 1826. A Republican in politics, a lawyer by profession. He came to Michigan with A. B. Maynard in 1854, opened an office in Romeo, and practiced law until his mind failed. He returned to Vermont in 1871. where he still lives. He served one term as prosecuting attorney of Macomb county, and was a Representative in 1867-9-70.
HENRY S. MEAD
Was the first lawyer at Hillsdale, Michigan, and settled in that place about 1840. He was an able and popular man. and was Represent- ative in 1950, and Senator in 1851. He practiced law for twelve years, and died at Hillsdale in 1852.
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CHARLES MEARS,
Senator from Mason and other counties in 1863-4, was born in North Billerica, Mass., in 1814. He received an academical education, and was for a time a general merchant in Lowell, Mass., but in 1836 opened, with his brothers. a store at Paw Paw, Mich. Later removed to White Lake, and then to the present site of Ludington. He built
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the fine harbors of Duck Lake, White Lake, Pentwater, Ludington and Pere Marquette, and was a lumberman and owner of pine lands. Later he became a leading business man in Chicago.
JOHN N. MELLEN,
Senator from Macomb county in 1873-4-5, was born September 30, 1831, in Garry, N. Y. He received a common school education. He emigrated to Washington, Mich., in 1837. In 1841 he removed to Lenox, and in 1869 to Romeo. From 1849 to 1864 he was engaged in the United States topographical survey of California, Oregon and Washington Territory. He was also employed by the government in establishing the subdivisions of counties and towns in Dakota terri- tory, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. His occupation now is that of a grain and lumber merchant. Politically a Democrat.
DAVID MENZIE
Was born about 1815 in Johnstown, N. Y. He received a common school education, and his medical diploma at Hartford, Conn. He came to Concord, Michigan, about 1837, and served as supervisor several years. He was a Representative in 1845. He died in 1954.
JAMES MERCER,
Senator from Houghton, Ontonagon, Baraga, Keweenaw and Isle Royal counties in 1883, was born in London, England, in September, 1830. His parents emigrated in 1833, and were residents of Michigan when it became a state. He received his education at common schools and from private tutors. He acquired his early business education in Detroit. In 1850 he removed to Lake Superior, where he has since remained, being closely identified with the general development of that section of the state. He was a member of the House in 1881 and '82.
WILLIAM MERCER,
Representative from Ionia county, in 1875, was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1824. He completed his education at the Pontiac district school. He removed to Michigan in 1831, and was the first supervisor elected in Campbell, Ionia county. He has been
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town treasurer and deputy sheriff, a merchant and grain dealer, and extensively engaged in manufacturing boat oars. In politics a Democrat.
ELIAS W. MERRILL
Was born in Falmouth, Maine, Oct. 2, 1812, and was educated at the common schools and Maine Wesleyan seminary. He came to Grand Rapids in 1837, removed to Muskegon in 1844, and there engaged in the lumbering business. He held various offices in town and county. He was Representative in 1857, and Senator in 1865. In 1863 he was appointed postmaster of Muskegon, and held the office until 1875. He has been a prominent business man of Muskegon. In politics a Republican.
ABRAHAM T. METCALF.
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1875, was born Feb. 26, 1831, in Whitestown, N. Y. He received an academical education, and graduated at the New Orleans dental college. In 1848 he went to Battle Creek, but shortly afterwards returned to New York state. In 1854 he again came to Michigan, and in February, 1855, commenced the practice of his profession in Kalamazoo. He was chairman of the democratic county committee from 1860 to 1865: trustee of the village of Kalamazoo in 1869, and a member of the board of education. In 1855 he took an active part in the organization of the Michigan state dental association. In politics a Democrat.
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ALFRED R. METCALF,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1841, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., Oct. 3, 1802. Came to Michigan in 1834. A farmer, and politically, first Republican, now Prohibitionist. Lived for forty-five years on his farm in Michigan, but moved to Blandinsville. Ill., in 1879, where he now resides.
HENRY MEYER,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1883. was born Jan. 1. 1828. at Vorie, Germany. He received a common school education. He learned the carpenter's trade in Hanover. In 1851 he came to Detroit, where he worked twelve years for James Shearer, builder. In 1863 he moved to Fair Haven, St. Clair county, and
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built in 1875 the Swan Creek steam grist mill; his occupation is farming and milling. In politics a Republican. He has held the office of town treasurer and supervisor, each eight years.
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LOUIS MEYER,
Representative from Livingston county, in 1875, was born in Han- over, Germany, in 1838. He was educated in German and English, and removed from Germany to Michigan in 1852. He is by occupa- tion a farmer. In politics a Democrat. Now resides in Lansing and is connected with the Lansing wagon works.
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JOHN MICKLE
Came from Oswego, New York, to Michigan in 1831. He was the first settler in Reading, Hillsdale county. He was a Whig, and Representative in the legislature of 1842, and associate judge of the county. The home he built of black walnut logs in 1833, is still standing. By occupation a farmer.
CHAS. E. MICKLEY,
Senator from Lenawee county in 1873, was born August 26, 1818, in Bucks county, Pa. He emigrated to Michigan in 1833, and settled in Fairfield. Lenawee county. He was a member of the House in 1865-7. He was the first to move in the matter of admitting women to the state university. He has also been a member of the state public school board, and president of Lenawee county agricultural society. A farmer by occupation.
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CYRUS MILES,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1865-9-70, was born in Fowler, N. Y., April 13, 1828. By occupation a lawyer and banker, politically a Democrat. Came to Port Huron in 1852, and went into the banking business in 1856. Was mayor of Port Huron in 1864 and 1805. Died March 2, 1877.
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FABIUS MILES
Was born in Watertown, N. Y., Dec. 31, 1814. He received an academical education, and became a teacher. In 1838 he established
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the Watertown normal school, and continued it with great success until 1844. In 1844 he located in Hartford, Mich., built a saw-mill and engaged in lumbering from 1817 to 1860. He was the owner of several hundred acres of land. Originally a Democrat, he became a Free Soiler in 1848, and helped organize the Republican party in 1854. He was a Representative in 1859. He supported Greeley in 1872, and Peter Cooper in 1876.
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GEORGE MILES
Was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., April 5, 1789. He was of New England descent and was self educated. He studied law and was admitted in 1822. He attained distinction and was district attorney of Alleghany county, N. Y. In 1837 he removed to Ann Arbor. and engaged in the practice of his profession. On the resignation of Judge Goodwin from the Supreme Court in 1846, he was appointed to fill the vacancy, and held it until his death in 1850. He was a man of commanding personal appearance, presided with dignity, and his opinions upon legal questions were concise and able.
-- MARCUS H. MILES
Was born in the State of New York in 1813. Emigrated to Michigan about 1836, and settled at Port Huron. In 1837 he went to Newport. now Marine City. and engaged in mercantile business. He was postmaster there and a Whig in politics. In 1838 he was elected clerk of St. Clair county and removed to St. Clair. He was re-elected in 1840, serving from 1539 to 1843. In 1848 and 1850 he was elected county clerk, serving in that office eight years. In 1952 he was admitted to the bar and began practice; in 1854 was elected circuit court commissioner; in 1856 was elected judge of probate, serving until 1861. In 1863 he enlisted in the 11th Michigan cavalry as a lieutenant, and during nearly all the time of his service acted as judge advocate at headquarters in the department of Kentucky. In 1867 he was a Representative. He was a member of the constitu- tional convention of 1867. In 1870 he was appointed inspector of customs at Toronto, Canada, held the position until 1875. He died Dec. 13, 1877, at St. Clair. First a Whig in politics, a Republican after 1×54.
WINFIELD S. MILLARD,
Representative from Berrien county in 1881-2, was born at Three Rivers, Mich., Jan. 22, 1846. Educated at high school and state
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agricultural college. In 1861 enlisted in the 11th Michigan infantry, and served through the war. For three years in the wholesale grocery trade at Laramie City, Dak .; general freight and ticket agent for C., W. & M. R. R. Co. nearly three years; moved to Niles in 1872, and was secretary and treasurer of the Michigan wool pulp co., the Three Rivers pulp co. and Niles water power co. Has been a major of state militia.
ALBERT MILLER,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1817, and the oldest living pioneer of the Saginaw valley, was born in Hartland, Vt., May 10, 1810. With a common school education he settled at Grand Blanc, Mich., in 1831. and taught school. He removed to a farm near Saginaw City in 1833; taught the first school in the Saginaw valley in 1834-5; was inspector of elections 1833 to 1848; judge of probate 1835 to 1844; justice thirteen years. He laid out Portsmouth. now part of Bay City. In 1836-7 built the second saw-mill on the Saginaw river. Has been president of the state pioneer society, postmaster, director in banks and manufacturing companies. In politics, first a Democrat, then a Republican. In the winter of 1987-8 celebrated his golden wedding.
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ELI R. MILLER
Was born in Winsted, Conn., October 12. 1818. He received an academical education, emigrated to Michigan in 1934, and settled as a farmer at Richland, Kalamazoo county. He was a member of the Michigan House in 1871-2-3-4, and was active in securing appropria- tions for fish propagation, and for several years was one of the state fish commissioners. In politics a Republican.
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. HENRY MILLER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1853, 1863-4, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1816. He came to Michigan in 1921, and was justice for several terms at Rochester. A merchant, in politics a Republican. He removed to Grand Rapids in 1866, and died April 24, 1879.
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JOHN C. MILLER
Was born in Ames, Ohio, March 9, 1822. Came with his parents to Michigan in 1836. but in 1943 removed to New Buffalo, where he now
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resides. Obtained a common school education. By occupation a farmer, was a Whig until 1856, a Republican until 1872, since that time a Prohibitionist. He was a Representative in 1863-4. Has been supervisor six years, justice eight years, and held other local offices.
JOHN MILLER,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1857, '63-4, was born at Sugar Loaf, Canada, February 1, 1818, his parents settling at Rochester, Mich., when he was young. With a limited education he went into lumbering at St. Clair, and served as clerk, general manager and superintendent of the Black river steam mill company. Then went into business for himself, was thrice mayor of Port Huron, and be- came cashier and manager of the first national bank at Port Huron. In politics a Democrat. Died in 1873.
JOSEPH MILLER,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1840-41, was born in Farmington, Conn., October 29, 1779. He graduated at Williams college, studied law, married Sarah Sherman in 1808, a descendant of Roger Sherman, and settled at Winsted, Conn., in practice. Was a justice 25 years, and a member of the state legislature. In 1834 removed to Richland, Mich., and was associate judge. Died in June, 1864.
LEONARD MILLER
Was born in the state of New York in 1820, and came to Moscow, Mich., in 1839. Later he removed to Jonesville. He was a Repre- sentative, sessions of 1841-2.
LEWIS T. MILLER,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1935-6, was born in Rensse- laer county, N. Y., June 11, 1757. By occupation a farmer. in politics a Democrat. Moved to Moscow, Mich., in 1833 and was the first postmaster. He was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1835. Died February 14, 1856.
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LUCIEN B. MILLER,
Representative from Monroe county in 1877-19, was born in the state of New York, March 6, 1531. His parents removed to La Salle, Mich.,
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the May following, and he has resided there ever since. He received a common school education. He has held the offices of justice, super- visor, school director, assessor and notary public. He is a farmer. In politics a Democrat.
NORTON L. MILLER
Was born in Berkshire county, Mass., December 2, 1815, his parents removing to Monroe county, N. Y., in 1818, and in 1832 to Macomb county, Michigan. He is a miller by occupation. Was register of deeds for Macomb county, from 1857 to 1861, and Representative in 1869, 1870-1-2. He received an academical education and has held various local offices. Is now a resident of Ludden, Dakota.
OLIVER MILLER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1844, resided at Ridgeway, and was in politics a Democrat. He was a brother of Dan B. Miller, of Monroe, a prominent business man at an early day.
RICHARD C. MILLER
Was born in Hartland, Conn .. April 17, 1820, and received a common school education. He settled in Greenfield, Wayne county, in 1830, and removed to Fairplains, Montealin county, in 1853, where he now resides. He was Representative from Montcalm county in 1871-2-3- 4. By occupation a farmer and commission merchant, in politics a Republican.
ABEL MILLINGTON
Was born at Rutland, Vt., February 5, 1787. He became a physician, and removed to Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1826. He was sheriff of Washtenaw county, and was a member of the legislative council in 1834 and 1835. He removed to St. Charles, Illinois, in 1938, and died there the same year.
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CHARLES R. MILLINGTON
Was born August 5, 1818, at Lebanon, N. Y. The next year removed to Shaftsbury, Vt., where he resided until 1836, when his father's family settled in Bennington, Vt. He received a good academical education, and taught school winters for five years. Studied law and was admitted to the bar in Vermont. He removed to Constantine
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Mich., in 1847, where he resided until 1873. Since that time he has been a resident of Independence, Iowa. He was a Whig until 1854, since that time a Republican, and was a delegate to the convention at Jackson which organized that party. From 1869 to 1873 he was a Representative from St. Joseph county.
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ALFRED J. MILLS,
Of Paw Paw, was born of English parentage in 1851. He was admitted to the bar in 1873 at Kalamazoo. In 1875 he removed to Paw Paw, where he has since resided. He was elected judge of probate of Van Buren county in 1876, and circuit judge in the spring of 1881.
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CHARLES B. MILLS, :
Representative from Tuscola county in 1877, and Senator in 1869-70, was born in York county, Maine, May 5, 1823. He received a com- mon and high school education. At an early age he became a minister in the Free Baptist denomination. He was a close student and gave frequent lectures in addition to his regular pastoral work. He removed to Ohio, and from there to Tuscola county in 1856, where he bought a farm. He was for several years judge of probate. He has been trustee of Hillsdale college for many years, and was one of the incorporators of the Free Baptist printing house at Dover, N. H. Of late years he has been in the employ of Hillsdale college, but now resides in Tuscola county.
JOHN W. MILLS,
Representative from Jackson county in 1855, was born in Phelps. N. Y., April 24, 1821. He came to Michigan in 1835, and settled on a farm in Pittsfield. Washtenaw county. Lived at Leoni, Jackson county, from 1853 to 1856, when he moved to Illinois, and was a member of the legislature of that state. In 1865 he removed to Grinnell. Iowa. By occupation a farmer, politically a Republican. Died December 15, 1865.
WILLIAM S. MILLS,
Senator from Sanilac county in 1959, was born in the state of Vermont, Oct. 29, 1820. Ile came to Michigan in 1851. and was prosecuting attorney of Sanilac county in 1860-61. Has been a
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printer, editor, lumberinan, lawyer, publisher, and is now superin- tendent of a mining company in El Dorado canon, Lincoln county, Nevada. Politically a Republican.
HIRAM MILLSPAUGH,
Representative from Wayne county in 1850, was a native of the state of New York. The time of his birth and the date of his coming to Belleville, Mich., are unknown. He was a Democrat in politics, a farmer by occupation, and died November 3, 1883.
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JOSEPH P. MINNIE,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1851, was born at Point aux Trembles, Mich., April 21, 1812. When young he went to St. Louis, Mo., and learned the trade of a tailor. Returning, he located at Monroe. In 1834 he located at Port Huron, and was a merchant tailor. He was justice for twenty years, amassed a large property, took an important part in all progressive enterprises, and was one of the most favorably known of the early pioneers. Died March 10, 1865.
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PRESTON MITCHELL,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1871-2-3-4, was born in Meredith, N. Y., April 24. 1812; received a common school education. and was a teacher at sixteen; afterwards a clerk and merchant at Baldwinsville and Syracuse, N. Y .; came to Marshall, Mich., in 1836, and from 1837 to 1842 was a merchant at Marengo: in 1842 removed to Marshall and was county treasurer six years; was alderman and mayor of Marshall, also supervisor; assessor of internal revenue 1862-3; and presidential elector in 1876. In politics a Democrat, a Republican from 1854. He had landed interests west, and was in real estate abstract business. Deceased.
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THOMAS MITCHELL,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1859, was born in Washing- ton county, N. Y., June 25, 1819. He came to St. Joseph county, Michigan, in 1843, and engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements and a general foundry business, Politics Republican. Now resides at Constantine, retired from business.
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W. H. C. MITCHELL
Was born in Perry county, Ohio, May 30, 1825. received a common school education, and went to California in 1849. He returned to Ohio in 1853, and in 1866 settled at East Bay, Grand Traverse county, Michigan. He was in the army as sutler 1862-5. He was Representa- tive in 1869-70-1-2, and in 1873-4-5 a Senator. He was a delegate to the republican national convention in 1876. Was several years register of the U. S. land office at Reed City, and still resides in Grand Traverse county. In politics a Republican, and by occupation has been a tinsmith, sash and furniture manufacturer, lumberman and farmer.
WILLIAM T. MITCHELL
Was born at Middlebury, N. Y., May 27, 1817. He received a good education, read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1839. Removed to Lapeer, Michigan, and was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1839. In 1840 he edited the Lapeer Plaindealer, the same year was appointed prosecuting attorney, and in the fall was elected register of deeds. In 1842 he removed to Romeo, and became prosecuting attorney and master in chancery of Macomb county. He moved to Port Huron in 1847, where he now resides. In 1853 was a Repre- sentative, and in 1869 was elected circuit judge, which he resigned after three years from insufficient salary. In politics a Democrat.
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OTTO MOE,
Representative from St. Joseph county, in 1879, was born Jan. 29, 1845, in Conneaut, Olio. He received a common school education, and removed in 1836 to Fawn River, Michigan. Occupation, farmer. He has been supervisor several years. In politics a National.
ORLANDO MOFFAT,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1849, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1808. By occupation a farmer, in politics Whig and Free Soiler. He came to Michigan in 1836, and died Feb. 20, 1868.
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